Problems with the circadian clock have been linked to a variety of age-related and chronic diseases, and experts say the findings could have “broad clinical implications”.

Dr Gad Asher, of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, said: “This discovery demonstrates the tight intertwining between circadian clocks and metabolism and opens new possibilities for nutritional interventions that modulate the clock’s function.

“Impaired circadian rhythmicity has been linked to a wide variety of age-related diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and inflammation.”

Spermidine is one of a group of essential molecules taken in through the diet and also synthesised by our own cells.

They regulate vital cell processes such as growth and reproduction.

Tests on mice showed that extra spermidine made their circadian clocks run faster but blocking its action slowed them down.

Dr Asher said: “If [the findings] hold true in humans, they will have broad clinical implications. The ability to repair the clock simply through nutritional intervention, namely polyamine supplementation, is exciting and obviously of great clinical potential. I do envision testing polyamines in clinical trials as a tool against a wide variety of age-related diseases.

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Blue Cheese contains high doses of a compound that help people to stay healthy and live longer

“There is evidence polyamines extend lifespan.”

There is evidence polyamines extend lifespan

Dr Gad Asher, Weizmann Institute of Science

The findings, published in Cell Metabolism, chime with research showing that spermidine – which is found in sperm – increases the lifespan of yeast, flies, worms and mice as well as human blood cells.

Cell ageing happens when the process where damaged parts of the cell are recycled goes wrong.

Spermidine levels have been shown to decline with age and studies suggest it may block the processes associated with ageing such as reducing free radicals.

Respected bioscientist Dr Frank Madeo, of the University of Graz in Austria, said: “Ageing results from complex processes that cause programmed cell death.

“One of the most widely accepted theories of ageing is the free radical theory, which attributes ageing to accumulating oxidative stress.

“Together, these data indicate supplementation of spermidine can retard ageing in several species.

“Future studies will tell whether spermidine, its derivatives, or agents that affect degradation might have beneficial effects on human health.”